Relationship between Climate Change, Air Pollution and Allergic Diseases Caused by Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Common Ragweed).

Objective

Influence of climate change and outdoor air pollution (through anthropogenic factors, including heavy traffic, industry and other human activities polluting the environment), which contribute to global warming and increase the allergenicity of some plants (common ragweed) on allergenic patterns, with a direct negative impact on human health, causing or exacerbating allergic respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, changing the pattern of respiratory tract infections and premature deaths in Europe. The present study aims to highlight the link between climate change, outdoor air pollution, altered allergenicity of palms and possible behavioural risk factors in the environment.

Methods

The clinical studies selected in this research highlighted the links between climate change, air pollutants and the occurrence/exacerbation of aeroallergen-induced respiratory disease; climate change (as an inducer of allergic respiratory disease), increasing global mean ambient air temperature and aeroallergens; climate change, global warming, [CO₂] concentration and aeroallergens; climate change, atmospheric humidity, dust storms and aeroallergens; urbanisation (anthropogenic influence), air pollution and aeroallergens; potential of different plant species (common ragweed) for Ni accumulation and possible effects on the human body.

Results

The medical implications of increased atmospheric [CO₂] concentration are either direct (effect of [CO₂] on human physiology and pathophysiology) or indirect (alteration of plant physiology associated with human disease). In an urban area with high [CO₂] concentrations, ragweed grows faster, flowers earlier and more intensively, which will lead to increased pollen production compared to rural areas. Over time, climate change leads to changes in allergen (common ragweed) patterns, followed by effects on human health (causing or exacerbating allergic respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis and changing the pattern of respiratory tract infections).

Conclusion

Climate change is changing air pollution patterns, particularly in urbanised areas of the world, with a significant effect on human health. Allergen patterns are also changing in response to climate change. Lifestyle adjustments are important to mitigate the health effects of air pollution and reduce the occurrence and progression of respiratory diseases.